(192) stories found containing 'wildfire'
Sorted by date Results 51 - 75 of 192
Colvilles meet governor at 'epicenter of climate change'
Gov. Jay Inslee met with tribal leaders and people affected by wildfire in Nespelem last week, characterizing the area as perhaps "the epicenter of climate change." He met with the... — Updated 7/29/2021
Level 2 evacuation notice for "Jones Bay community" issued
Level 2 Evacuation notice - Jones Bay community Level 2 Evacuation notice due to wildfire. This is a Level 2 evacuation notice for people in the following areas of Grant County,... — Updated 7/22/2021 Full story
Coulee Cops
Grand Coulee Police 7/13 - A Grand Coulee RV Park resident was arrested for harassment and threatening to kill, then taken to jail. Following a social situation in which the man was texting a woman he had a history with, while... — Updated 7/21/2021
Use 747 supertanker in big fires
Here we are, at the beginning of what could prove to be worst wildfire season ever and the world’s best firefighting tool sits unused and not ready to go because of decisions made by the US Forest Service and states not to use i... — Updated 7/7/2021
June high temperature record broken
Back in June 2015, only six years ago, we had a local June high temperature record set at 105˚F. Well, with the onset of a high-pressure system, or heat dome, that sat over us in... — Updated 7/7/2021
Ignored: target shooters at local illegal shooting areas
Local popular target-shooting spots are technically illegal because of federal laws, but state agencies say they are unable to enforce federal laws. A Star article June 16 examined the legality of a popular shooting range at... — Updated 7/7/2021
Grant County commissioners decline to ban fireworks
In a special meeting Thursday afternoon Grant County’s leaders declined to ban the sale or use of fireworks in the county, after fire officials across the county had urged them to do so. A motion by Commissioner Danny Stone, of H... — Updated 7/2/2021 Full story
The power of our interconnected grid with ample supply
How about some good news coming out of our record-breaking (extreme) heat wave? Luckily, we live and work in the Pacific Northwest, and are reaping the benefits from our well-connected power grid, which is supplied with abundant el... — Updated 6/30/2021
Tracy Stone-Manning is dangerous for Central Washington and Rural America
Tracy Stone-Manning is an unacceptable nominee to serve as Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and President Biden’s nomination of her highlights just how out of touch he is with rural America. The Bureau of Land Manag... — Updated 6/30/2021
An opportunity to make community a little better
At least three areas in the surrounding countryside are used locally as shooting ranges, possibly all illegally. That may offer an opportunity to improve. Last week, a firefighter friend in Ephrata noted he and his fellow... — Updated 6/16/2021
Wildfire brings scrutiny of illegal shooting range
With a recent wildfire started by a ricocheted bullet adding to safety and noise issues, target shooting at Osborn Bay is a concern for some, and the federal agency that owns the area says it is illegal to target shoot on their... — Updated 6/16/2021
Thanks to all involved in our rescue
A harrowing experience is behind us, and it is time to commend those who calmed and saved us. First, I have to commend the dispatcher that kept me on the line until safety arrived. I do not know what county she was from. (911... — Updated 6/9/2021
Folks, it's dry - be fire wise
As we linger on the dry side of precipitation in our region, it’s prudent to check dedicated weather sources that, as part of their work, speak to near-future weather and w... — Updated 6/9/2021
Hotter and drier climate "normals" are here
Hotter and drier summers seem to be the trend in climate changes locally as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released the new U.S. Climate Normals for 1991-2020.... — Updated 6/9/2021
Biochar project could lead to big benefits for North Central Washington
Catastrophic wildfires have had a devastating impact on our region. Wildfires can ravage vast sections of our state, displacing families, putting firefighters at risk, and leaving long-term economic recovery challenges. One of the... — Updated 3/31/2021
Air: we need it – part 2
Last month we addressed the general state of air quality monitoring across the nation and more specifically here in the state of Washington and locally. To summarize, the agencies... — Updated 2/10/2021
Your county oversight needed
If you are a resident or landowner concerned about how water, air, and land resources in our county will be managed for humans, wildlife, and natural occurrences such as wildfire in the coming decades, you should read the County... — Updated 1/27/2021
Wildfires were "Big Polluters" in 2020
While the coronavirus and its devastating effects on people and economies worldwide were unfortunately the top 2020 stories, the massive impact of western wildfires can’t be ignored. It was catastrophic. The National Interagency F... — Updated 12/30/2020
It's time to come to the aid of wildland firefighters
By mid-September, there was no one left to call. The West, with its thousands of federal, state, and local fire engines and crews, had been tapped out. Wildfires across the West had consumed the labor of all available wildland... — Updated 12/9/2020
Recognizing Native American Heritage Month
Native American history is engrained in the culture of the Pacific Northwest. Throughout our region, we are reminded of Tribal culture and heritage which greatly influence our way of life. November is Native American Heritage... — Updated 12/2/2020
Wildfire recovery demonstrates Central Washington's resiliency
Over the past few months, catastrophic wildfires raged – once again – throughout Central Washington and across the West. Smoke blanketed the Pacific Northwest, and whole towns were essentially wiped off the map. Unfortunately, we... — Updated 11/4/2020
Smoky days and Halloween weather
Once again, we endured the intrusion of wildfire smoke into our atmosphere. The National Weather Service has taken note by releasing interesting data regarding wildfire smoke. The... — Updated 10/7/2020
It's still fire season
Although the area got some badly needed rain last week, local firefighters found out firsthand it wasn’t enough. Volunteers from the Grand Coulee and Electric City fire departments fought a 100-acre wildfire for four hours along t... — Updated 9/30/2020 Full story
Katie Haven for a stronger Okanogan County
The fire season has reminded us once again of how vulnerable our county is. In the Pearl Hill and Cold Springs fires, approximately 414,000 acres and over 180 structures were burned. Wildfires are a natural part of our ecosystem,... — Updated 9/30/2020
Update: Current smoke outlook
Update 9/16 11:55 a.m. The state Dept. of Ecology has extended the Air Quality Alert until noon Friday, although locally the air seems a lot less chewy (not a technical term) than... — Updated 9/16/2020 Full story